30 Facts About Laura Trott

Early Life and Family

Laura Trott's journey to becoming a double Olympic gold medalist is nothing short of inspiring. Let's dive into her early life and the family support that shaped her career.

1. Birth and Early Life: Laura Trott was born on April 24, 1992, in Harlow, Essex, England. She arrived prematurely and had a collapsed lung, later diagnosed as asthma.

2. Family Support: Her family played a crucial role in her early life. Her mother encouraged her to take up cycling seriously, which helped manage her asthma.

3. Early Cycling Career: Trott began cycling at a young age, often riding alongside her mother who had taken up the sport to lose weight. Her older sister Emma Trott is also a former road racing cyclist.

Rising Star in Cycling

Laura's early achievements in cycling set the stage for her future success. Here are some key milestones from her junior years.

4. Junior Achievements: Trott won two junior titles at the 2009 and 2010 British National Track Championships. She placed third in the individual pursuit at the 2010 championships, securing a place in the European Track Championships team pursuit squad at just 18 years old.

5. European Success: In 2010, Trott won gold at the European Track Championships as part of the team pursuit squad. This success paved the way for her future achievements in the sport.

6. World Championships: Trott took her first world title at the 2011 World Championships, again as part of the team pursuit squad. Her performance in these early years set the stage for her future dominance in track cycling.

Olympic Glory

Laura Trott's Olympic debut was nothing short of spectacular. Her performance at the London 2012 Olympics cemented her status as a top athlete.

7. Olympic Debut: In the run-up to the 2012 Olympics, Trott won two World and two European golds in both the team pursuit and the omnium. This made her a strong contender for the Olympic team.

8. London 2012 Olympics: At the 2012 Olympics, Trott secured two gold medals. She set a world record in the women’s pursuit team alongside Joanna Rowsell and Dani King. Additionally, she dominated the omnium, a technically challenging multi-discipline event.

9. Omnium Dominance: The omnium is often referred to as track cycling’s answer to the decathlon. Trott’s performance in this event showcased her versatility and skill, making her a standout athlete in the sport.

10. Team Pursuit Success: Trott’s success in the team pursuit event was instrumental in Great Britain’s gold medal win at the 2012 Olympics. This achievement marked a significant moment in British cycling history.

Personal Life and Challenges

Behind every great athlete is a story of personal triumphs and challenges. Laura Trott's personal life is no exception.

11. Personal Life: After the Olympics, Trott married track cyclist Jason Kenny in a private ceremony on September 24, 2016. The couple has two sons, with their first son born on August 23, 2017, and their second son born on July 20, 2023.

12. Miscarriage and Health Issues: In November 2021, Trott suffered a miscarriage at nine weeks. She underwent surgery in January 2022 due to an ectopic pregnancy. These health challenges have been a part of her journey, but she has always managed to stay focused on her career.

Honors and Recognition

Laura Trott's contributions to cycling have not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous honors and awards for her achievements.

13. Honours and Awards: Trott has received numerous honors for her services to cycling. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours.

14. Honorary Degree: In 2013, Trott received an honorary degree from the University of Essex for her contributions to cycling.

15. Leisure Centre Renaming: The former Grundy Park Leisure Centre in Cheshunt was renamed The Laura Trott Leisure Centre in her honor following a £4 million redevelopment. Trott attended the launch ahead of competing in stage four of the first Women's Tour from Cheshunt to Welwyn Garden City.

Transition to Road Cycling

After dominating track cycling, Laura Trott transitioned to road cycling, continuing to achieve success.

16. Career Transition: After a successful track cycling career, Trott transitioned to road cycling. She moved to the Matrix Fitness Vulpine team in 2015 to combine her road and track cycling ambitions.

17. Road Cycling Achievements: Although her best result in road cycling was third place in the National Championships, Trott continued to compete at a high level. She returned to track cycling to win three gold medals at the 2015 European Championships in the team pursuit, scratch race, and omnium.

18. Continued Success: Trott’s success continued at the 2016 World Championships in London, where she won gold medals in the scratch race and omnium. She also secured a bronze medal in the team pursuit.

More Olympic Success

Laura Trott's performance at the 2016 Olympics further solidified her legacy as one of Britain's greatest athletes.

19. Olympic Medalist: At the 2016 Olympics, Trott was a favorite for the omnium. She dominated from the start and finished in the top two in five of the six events, securing a comfortable gold medal. This achievement made her Britain’s most successful female Olympian at the time.

20. Golden Couple: Trott and her fiancé Jason Kenny were lauded as a 'golden couple' in the British press after winning five gold medals between them in 2016. This achievement brought their total to ten gold medals as a couple, making them one of the most successful Olympic medalist families of all time.

Advocacy and Inspiration

Beyond her athletic achievements, Laura Trott is a role model and advocate for keeping girls in sports.

21. Confidence Story: Trott’s love of cycling and sports helped her stay confident, particularly during puberty when many girls quit sports. She advocates for keeping girls in sports through initiatives like the #LikeAGirl campaign, encouraging them to maintain their confidence and continue playing sports.

22. Ambassador for Cycling: Trott has become an ambassador for cycling, inspiring the next generation of athletes. Her journey from a premature birth with health challenges to becoming a double Olympic gold medalist is a testament to her determination and resilience.

Managing Pressure

Being an Olympic athlete comes with immense pressure. Laura Trott has shared her experiences and strategies for managing it.

23. Pressure and Expectation: Trott has spoken about the pressure and expectation that come with being an Olympic athlete. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining control over these pressures to avoid ruining races. Her family has been instrumental in helping her manage this pressure, making her feel normal and reminding her that losing a race is not the end of the world.

24. Family Support System: Trott’s parents have always been there to support her. Her father accompanies her throughout competitions, while her mother provides an outsider’s perspective, helping Trott see the sport for what it is without getting bogged down in tactics.

Role Model and Philanthropy

Laura Trott's influence extends beyond sports. She is a role model and philanthropist, working to inspire and support others.

25. Role Model: As a role model, Trott encourages young athletes to stay focused and maintain their confidence. She believes that with the right support system, athletes can overcome any challenge and achieve their goals.

26. Philanthropic Work: Trott is involved with various charitable organizations, including the Sutton Trust, an educational charity. Her work in education aims to provide opportunities for young people to pursue their dreams, much like she did in her own career.

Political Career

Laura Trott has also made significant strides in politics, serving in various roles and making a positive impact on society.

27. Political Career: Laura Trott MBE is also a British politician. She was born on December 7, 1984, in Oxted, Surrey. Trott has served as Shadow Education Secretary since November 2024 and previously held roles such as Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pensions.

28. Conservative Party Involvement: Trott joined the Conservative Party in her teens and served as a councillor for Camden London Borough Council between 2010 and 2014. She was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sevenoaks in 2019, becoming the first woman to represent the constituency.

29. Government Roles: Trott has held various government roles, including Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions. During her tenure, she supported the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Act 2023, which reduced the minimum age of enrolment from 22 to 18.

30. Shadow Cabinet Role: After the defeat of the Conservative Party in the 2024 general election, Trott became Shadow Chief Secretary of the Treasury in Sunak's shadow cabinet. Her political career reflects her dedication to public service and her commitment to making a positive impact on society.

Laura Trott: A True Inspiration

Laura Trott's journey from a premature birth with a collapsed lung to becoming a double Olympic gold medalist is nothing short of inspiring. Her early struggles with asthma didn't stop her from achieving greatness in track cycling. With the unwavering support of her family, she conquered junior titles, European Championships, and World Championships, eventually shining at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics.

Her personal life, marked by her marriage to fellow cyclist Jason Kenny and their two sons, adds another layer to her story. Despite facing health challenges like a miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, Trott's resilience never wavered.

Beyond sports, Trott's involvement in politics and charitable work showcases her dedication to making a positive impact. Her story is a testament to determination, resilience, and the power of support. Laura Trott continues to inspire athletes and individuals worldwide.